The response on the latest Beauty Brains Beauty Science or BS poll has been great. Unfortunately, most of you got the answer wrong. Here is the science behind the stories.
Looking at pictures of blond women can make you less smart - TRUE
An overwhelming majority of you thought this was the fake but in fact, it is real. According to this study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, test subjects scored worse on Trivial-pursuit type questions when they first looked at photos of blond women. Interestingly, the effect was the same on both men and women. Looking at photos of other hair-colored women didn’t have the same negative effect.
Your hair can be used to predict exactly what city you live in - FAKE
Only 14% of you correctly figured out that this one was a little too good to be true. It was actually based on a recent story that said you can identify where a person has been based on the isotopes of water found in their hair. It’s fake because while you can identify where a person was it is not so accurate that you can tell what city they’ve been in. As one researcher said, “You can tell the difference between Utah and Texas, but you may not be able to distinguish between Chicago and Kansas City.”
Thieves steal hair to sell on the black market - TRUE
This story was only chosen by 16% of you but it is true. Unfortunately, a couple of thieves in Brazil recently attacked a woman and cut off her waist length hair with a machete. When sold, this hair could fetch as much as $500. Apparently, this happens every so often in Brazil. So, if you’re traveling there make sure you hide your long hair.
Thanks to everyone who voted. If you didn’t get it this time, don’t fret. We’ll have another quiz coming soon.
Did you know that the new Beauty Brains Book has a whole section devoted to the Beauty Science or BS quiz? Click here to learn more about the Beauty Brains Book.